Hassle-free voting thanks to creches

MUMBAI: Crèches were a hit at several polling centres in the suburbs. At some polling centres, though, they were not visible enough and, hence, did not find takers.

Two anganwadi staff at each centre kept the children occupied, offering them toys and books. There was even a swing bed for infants.

Jyoti Shirke and her husband Naresh said the crèche was a boon. The family, which has recently shifted to Vasai, had to come to Borivali West to cast their vote and didn’t know where to leave their nine-year-old daughter. Thanks to the facility, the bank employees said the half hour wait was smooth.

Elsewhere in the city, too, the EC’s initiative drew praise.

“When I went to pick up my four-year-old daughter from the crèche, she was reluctant to leave as she was having a good time,” said Shivangi Patil at the Worli Seaface polling booth.

But Supriya Soga, who was on duty at the crèche at St. Anne’s High School polling centre in Pali Hill, said she had no kids to care for. Voters were unaware as there was no board mentioning the crèche facility, she said.